Raceday fashion queen wins hands down

Kendal McSorley shows the flair that won the Artswear section of the fashion competitions at Addington. Photo / Simon Baker

Fancy hats, elaborate dresses and decadent jewellery were the must-haves at the New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway in Christchurch yesterday.

Model and make-up artist Kendal McSorley won the fashion art prize. Her garment, featuring hands on a female body, won the Artswear section of the fashion competition.

The fashion competitions are a staple of Cup Day, and awards were given for the best-dressed female and male and best body art.

More than 20,000 people attended the event, and were given alcohol-control wristbands when they entered.

If a person became visibly drunk, security staff cut the wristband off so they would no longer be served alcohol.

The green wristbands were part of a new strict Addington Raceway alcohol policy which also increasing the availability of water and low-alcohol and food options.

Addington was almost stripped of its liquor licence last year because of alcohol-related problems.

Sergeant Steve Burke of the Christchurch police noticed a "definite" improvement in crowd behaviour this year because of the bracelets and alcohol policy.

Police made only two arrests yesterday - one for assault and the other for disorderly behaviour.

"There were a few people escorted out because you always get a few idiots at big events, but everyone was generally very well behaved."

Mr Burke said there were 16 to 18 police working at the event.

Police were expecting a big "Saturday-type night" in the central city as people went clubbing after the races, but he did not foresee much trouble given the crowd's behaviour throughout the day.

Addington Raceway promotions manager Richard Bromley said the crowd was very well behaved and the number of wristbands snipped off was in the single digits.

"It was very difficult to organise all the wristbands but it all worked out very well in the end ... I don't see why we won't do it again [next year]."